Welcome to the page to nominate titles for Panda 2012 Younger Readers. Make sure you always post your review above the latest review and use the following format:
Username-Date-Title-Author-Review
Karen Gockley, March 5
Trish McNair--March 5th--Extra Yarn. Barnett, Mac (author)--Australian!.Illustrated by Jon Klassen.Jan. 2012.
This understated picture book is certain to spark the imagination of every child who comes upon it, and what could be better than that? Annabelle lives in a black-and-white world, where everything is drab, drab, drab. So imagine her surprise when she finds a box filled with yarn of every color. Armed with the yarn and knitting needles, she makes herself a sweater, but after she finishes, she finds that she has extra yarn left over. After knitting a sweater for her dog, her classmates, and various (hilariously unsurprised) bunnies and bears, she still has extra yarn. So, Annabelle turns her attention to things that don’t usually wear wool cozies: houses and cars and mailboxes. Soon an evil archduke with a sinister mustache “who was very fond of clothes” hears about the magic box of never-ending yarn, and he wants it for his own. Reading like a droll fairy tale, this Barnett-Klassen collaboration is both seamless and magical. The spare, elegant text and art are also infused with plenty of deadpan humor. Klassen (//I Want My Hat Back//, 2011) uses ink, gouache, and digital illustration to fashion Annabelle’s world out of geometric shapes, set against dark, saturated pages, and against white as the town comes to colorful, stitched life. Quirky and wonderful, this story quietly celebrates a child’s ingenuity and her ability to change the world around her.
Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld (go visiting author)
Diminutive cumulus Cloudette appreciates the advantages of her size, except when the bigger clouds show off by creating significant weather. After being blown to a new neighborhood by a particularly violent thunderstorm, she meets a frog in need of a pond. Summoning all her energy, she generates a respectable downpour, filling a frogworthy habitat. The creator of Bridget’s Beret (2010) offers here another appealing story featuring a plucky heroine. Applying a full-color palette to his watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil cartoons, Lichtenheld makes use of varying page space and panel techniques to add subtle details to his narrative. In one spread, Cloudette puffs up, turns blue-gray, growls fiercely, and then shakes her rumbling behind; in the following, presented vertically, she happily pours. Captions within the art also add to the humor (Cloud: “We knew you had it in you!”). The message that even small fry can accomplish important tasks is well suited to the intended audience
Nadine Rosevear, February 10, 2012 - I am Different!: Can You Find Me? - Padmanabhan, Manjula - 2011
Booklist (September 1, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 1)
Grades 1-3. Bold illustrations and a visual game are the hallmarks of this unusual book. First published in India, it explores the concept of differences through 16 languages. Each double-page spread names a language and gives a few facts about it as well as showing the sentence “Can you find me?” in that language and giving a transliteration for pronunciation. Of more immediate interest to children, each spread offers a page with a number of objects or shapes and challenges viewers to find the one that is different. On some pages, the difference is immediately apparent, but sometimes it takes closer observation, analysis, and an open mind to discover which image is not like the others and why. Children will enjoy those “Aha!” moments and, perhaps, absorb the idea that each is different in its own way. Appended are four pages that reproduce small versions of the pictures and highlight the dissimilar elements. This colorful, original picture book provides an intriguing introduction to languages as well as differences.
Josianne Fitzgerald, 9 February - The Runaway Wok - Ying Chang Compestine - 2011
Booklist (January 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 9))
Preschool-Grade 2. In this high-spirited original folktale set in yesteryear Beijing, a magical pan becomes a Robin Hood hero. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, the poor Zhangs send their son, Ming, to trade their last eggs for rice, which, unlike the rich, greedy Li family, they plan to share with their neighbors. Along the way, Ming encounters an old man, who offers Ming a wok that miraculously pleads its own case: “Trade for me, / I am more than what you see!” Astonished, Ming carries it home, where it continues to sing: “Skippity-hoppity-ho! / To the rich man’s wife I go!” Off it bounces, and in several trips to the Lis and back, the wily wok collects food, toys, and money, which Ming and his parents joyfully distribute throughout their community. The well-paced, repetitive text reads aloud well, but young listeners will want to crowd in close to enjoy the details of holiday bustle in the appealingly packed acrylic paintings. An author’s note about the tale’s inspiration and Chinese New Year, as well as a recipe for stir-fried rice, close this festive offering.
Karen Gockley, Feb 8 Swirl by Swirl. Joyce Sidman. 2011
An illustrated exploration of various examples of spirals appearing in nature, looking at snail shells, flower petals, elephant tusks, crashing waves, and more.
Josianne Fitzgerald, 8 February - Is Anyone Ready for Fun? - Jan Thomas
Mostly I'm nominating this because Jan Thomas is wonderful. Her books are perfect for young readers and the parents/teachers who love them. With colorful illustrations, snappy rhyming text, and fun situations, Jan Thomas's books are laugh out loud funny.
School Library Journal (September 1, 2011)
PreS-Three cows decide that it's time to have fun, which entails jumping, dancing, and wiggling on Chicken's sofa. Chicken is not happy about this until the cows hit on a use for the sofa that she, too, can appreciate. The text begins before the actual title page and falls into a pattern. On one spread, for example, a cow declares, "It's time to jump" and the page turn reveals the gleeful bovines shouting, "JUMP! Up and down, up and down. Let's all JUMP up and down! On Chicken's sofa!" Chicken lays down the law, "There's no JUMPING on my sofa!" and then the cycle starts again. This silly story just begs to be read aloud and invites youngsters to move and shake along with the cows. The simple text is related via speech bubbles, making the narrative great for multiple voices. The artist's bright and vibrant illustrations add to the exuberant tone. Children will love the humor and the art and will beg for the book to be read over and over. Perfect for preschool storytimes.-Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Karen Gockley, Feb 8th:
Benjamin Bear in Fuzzing Thinking: a toon book. Philippe Courdray, 2011. BL
Translated from the French. Readers are challenged to think and solve puzzles as tey try to follow the fuzzy thinking and antics of Benjamin, a bear who does everything his own funny way.
Owlet's First Flight. Mitra Modarressi. 2012
Little Owlet wakes on a moonlit night. His mama says, "Its time you took flight." This little Owlet does not want to be out by himself in the dark. But Mama believes he can be brave, so he decides to leave the nest for the first time. As Owlet makes his way through the sky to explore the sights and sounds of nighttime, he runs into a few frightening obstacles along the way, but he eventually learns that being brave can be a fun adventure! Perfect for reading at bedtime to relieve nighttime anxiety, watching Owlet fly through the sky will show young readers that things may not always be as scary as they first seem.
Meena. Sine Van Mol, 2011. (from Holland)
Translation of: Mina lieverd. The children of Fly Street fear and taunt their neighbor Meena, thinking she is a witch, but when they meet her granddaughter and taste her red currant pie, they learn the truth.
A Little Bitty Man & Other Poems for the Very Young (Danish) BL
A collection of poems for children, including the title selection about a small man who rides a snail and meets a little woman. Translated from the original works by beloved Danish poet Rasmussen, this delightful collection of poems for young children is sure to enthrall little ones with captivating rhyme, humor, and charm. Full color.
Superhero Joe. Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, 2011. BL
Joe is a boy with superpowersor a super imagination? Armed with his cape of confidence (a blanket) and his shield of invincibility (a garbage can lid), Joe is ready to save the day...and good thing, too, because he's just heard a cry for help.... A blend of traditional illustrations and comic book graphics from beloved illustrator Ron Barrett accompanies a rollicking text that will bring out the superpowers in every reader.
The Tricky Tooth. Fran Manushkin. 2011/BL
Everyone in Katie Woo’s class has lost a tooth except Katie, who has a loose tooth that will not fall out despite her various strategies. In the end, everything comes out all right, literally, concluding with a visit from the tooth fairy. Told in four chapters, the upbeat story inserts just enough tension to hold beginning readers. Realistic illustrations portray a diverse class and a Chinese American protagonist, but the focus is on tooth loss, a rite of passage for the intended audience. Back matter includes a glossary, ideas for classroom follow-up, and a recipe.
Fortunately, Unfortunately. Michael Foreman, 2010, 2011. BL
Mom sends Milo on an errand to return Granny's umbrella to her. Fortunately, Milo doesn't realize that he's about to encounter several unfortunate setbacks with pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens. But it all turns into one amazing, fortunate adventure . . .
Josianne Fitzgerald - 30 January 2012 - More Bears - Kenn Nesbitt and Troy Cummings
This would make a good read aloud that invites the audience to call out for "more bears". The author is reluctant at first to include more bears and then gets rollickingly into adding "more bears."
Horn Book (April 2011) Illustrated by Troy Cummings. An author writing a story with "absolutely no bears" caves to children's offstage demands for "MORE BEARS!" The bear population increases exponentially until the author demands that they all leave. The execution of this offering's meta-narrative premise feels a little forced. Cummings's illustrations have a humorous retro style. BNT
This book is generating lots of talk for Caldecott.
I Want My Hat Back is a marvelous book in the true dictionary sense of marvel : it is a wonderful and astonishing thing, the kind of book that makes child laugh and adult chuckle, and both smile in appreciation. --The New York Times
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Press Here by Herve Tullet
This is a nifty concept for a book. It mimics the actions on an iPad. Enjoy the book trailer to see.
Horn Book starred (Fall 2011) Tullet's ingenious interactive book begins with a yellow circle. On the next spread, the same dot appears: "Press here and turn the page"; a second yellow dot arrives on the following page. Pressing, tilting, blowing, and clapping further transform the dots. The simplicity of Tullet's presentation illuminates picture books' tactile and kinetic aspect, making the old form seem the height of postmodernism.
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
Here's a book trailer for Cloudette.
Horn Book (Fall 2011)
While Cloudette doesn't mind being small, she aspires to do something big-cloud important, like make a garden grow or a waterfall flow. When she comes across a desperate frog in a dried-out pond, she finally finds her inspiration--and lets loose. Invitingly unfussy mixed-media illustrations, heavy on the sky-blue, and thoughtful book design, including entertaining cloud-peanut-gallery comments, give flavor to Cloudette's journey.
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 -I Want My Hat by Jon Klassen
This book looks like it would be fun to act out with the kids.
Horn Book starred (Spring 2012)
A bear has lost his red hat. He questions a fox, frog, rabbit, turtle, snake, and armadillo before giving up. "What's the matter?" asks Deer, knocking free a recent memory (something that young readers are sure to have noticed) and leading the bear to a red-hot conclusion. Klassen's animation and design skills are evident on every page of this sly, subversive tale.
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Tell Me the Day Backwards by Albert Lamb
This story really left me thinking. The twist at the end is neat--Do you think it's a summer or a day? Also, the concept of telling a day backwards is quite sweet.
Horn Book (Fall 2011)
At bedtime, a mother bear and her cub recollect for each other the events of the day, working backward from evening toward morning. There are enough details--including a hibernation twist--to keep readers interested; Lamb succeeds in making the ordinary elements of a young child's day seem special. McPhail's soft, dreamy watercolor and sepia ink illustrations suit the text's loving warmth.
Make sure you always post your review above the latest review and use the following format:
Username-Date-Title-Author-Review
Karen Gockley, March 5
Trish McNair--March 5th--Extra Yarn. Barnett, Mac (author)--Australian!.Illustrated by Jon Klassen.Jan. 2012.
This understated picture book is certain to spark the imagination of every child who comes upon it, and what could be better than that? Annabelle lives in a black-and-white world, where everything is drab, drab, drab. So imagine her surprise when she finds a box filled with yarn of every color. Armed with the yarn and knitting needles, she makes herself a sweater, but after she finishes, she finds that she has extra yarn left over. After knitting a sweater for her dog, her classmates, and various (hilariously unsurprised) bunnies and bears, she still has extra yarn. So, Annabelle turns her attention to things that don’t usually wear wool cozies: houses and cars and mailboxes. Soon an evil archduke with a sinister mustache “who was very fond of clothes” hears about the magic box of never-ending yarn, and he wants it for his own. Reading like a droll fairy tale, this Barnett-Klassen collaboration is both seamless and magical. The spare, elegant text and art are also infused with plenty of deadpan humor. Klassen (//I Want My Hat Back//, 2011) uses ink, gouache, and digital illustration to fashion Annabelle’s world out of geometric shapes, set against dark, saturated pages, and against white as the town comes to colorful, stitched life. Quirky and wonderful, this story quietly celebrates a child’s ingenuity and her ability to change the world around her.
Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld (go visiting author)
Diminutive cumulus Cloudette appreciates the advantages of her size, except when the bigger clouds show off by creating significant weather. After being blown to a new neighborhood by a particularly violent thunderstorm, she meets a frog in need of a pond. Summoning all her energy, she generates a respectable downpour, filling a frogworthy habitat. The creator of Bridget’s Beret (2010) offers here another appealing story featuring a plucky heroine. Applying a full-color palette to his watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil cartoons, Lichtenheld makes use of varying page space and panel techniques to add subtle details to his narrative. In one spread, Cloudette puffs up, turns blue-gray, growls fiercely, and then shakes her rumbling behind; in the following, presented vertically, she happily pours. Captions within the art also add to the humor (Cloud: “We knew you had it in you!”). The message that even small fry can accomplish important tasks is well suited to the intended audience
Nadine Rosevear, February 10, 2012 - I am Different!: Can You Find Me? - Padmanabhan, Manjula - 2011
Booklist (September 1, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 1)
Grades 1-3. Bold illustrations and a visual game are the hallmarks of this unusual book. First published in India, it explores the concept of differences through 16 languages. Each double-page spread names a language and gives a few facts about it as well as showing the sentence “Can you find me?” in that language and giving a transliteration for pronunciation. Of more immediate interest to children, each spread offers a page with a number of objects or shapes and challenges viewers to find the one that is different. On some pages, the difference is immediately apparent, but sometimes it takes closer observation, analysis, and an open mind to discover which image is not like the others and why. Children will enjoy those “Aha!” moments and, perhaps, absorb the idea that each is different in its own way. Appended are four pages that reproduce small versions of the pictures and highlight the dissimilar elements. This colorful, original picture book provides an intriguing introduction to languages as well as differences.
Josianne Fitzgerald, 9 February - The Runaway Wok - Ying Chang Compestine - 2011
Booklist (January 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 9))
Preschool-Grade 2. In this high-spirited original folktale set in yesteryear Beijing, a magical pan becomes a Robin Hood hero. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, the poor Zhangs send their son, Ming, to trade their last eggs for rice, which, unlike the rich, greedy Li family, they plan to share with their neighbors. Along the way, Ming encounters an old man, who offers Ming a wok that miraculously pleads its own case: “Trade for me, / I am more than what you see!” Astonished, Ming carries it home, where it continues to sing: “Skippity-hoppity-ho! / To the rich man’s wife I go!” Off it bounces, and in several trips to the Lis and back, the wily wok collects food, toys, and money, which Ming and his parents joyfully distribute throughout their community. The well-paced, repetitive text reads aloud well, but young listeners will want to crowd in close to enjoy the details of holiday bustle in the appealingly packed acrylic paintings. An author’s note about the tale’s inspiration and Chinese New Year, as well as a recipe for stir-fried rice, close this festive offering.Karen Gockley, Feb 8
Swirl by Swirl. Joyce Sidman. 2011
An illustrated exploration of various examples of spirals appearing in nature, looking at snail shells, flower petals, elephant tusks, crashing waves, and more.
Josianne Fitzgerald, 8 February - Is Anyone Ready for Fun? - Jan Thomas
Mostly I'm nominating this because Jan Thomas is wonderful. Her books are perfect for young readers and the parents/teachers who love them. With colorful illustrations, snappy rhyming text, and fun situations, Jan Thomas's books are laugh out loud funny.
School Library Journal (September 1, 2011)
PreS-Three cows decide that it's time to have fun, which entails jumping, dancing, and wiggling on Chicken's sofa. Chicken is not happy about this until the cows hit on a use for the sofa that she, too, can appreciate. The text begins before the actual title page and falls into a pattern. On one spread, for example, a cow declares, "It's time to jump" and the page turn reveals the gleeful bovines shouting, "JUMP! Up and down, up and down. Let's all JUMP up and down! On Chicken's sofa!" Chicken lays down the law, "There's no JUMPING on my sofa!" and then the cycle starts again. This silly story just begs to be read aloud and invites youngsters to move and shake along with the cows. The simple text is related via speech bubbles, making the narrative great for multiple voices. The artist's bright and vibrant illustrations add to the exuberant tone. Children will love the humor and the art and will beg for the book to be read over and over. Perfect for preschool storytimes.-Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.Karen Gockley, Feb 8th:
Benjamin Bear in Fuzzing Thinking: a toon book. Philippe Courdray, 2011. BL
Translated from the French. Readers are challenged to think and solve puzzles as tey try to follow the fuzzy thinking and antics of Benjamin, a bear who does everything his own funny way.
Owlet's First Flight. Mitra Modarressi. 2012
Little Owlet wakes on a moonlit night. His mama says, "Its time you took flight." This little Owlet does not want to be out by himself in the dark. But Mama believes he can be brave, so he decides to leave the nest for the first time. As Owlet makes his way through the sky to explore the sights and sounds of nighttime, he runs into a few frightening obstacles along the way, but he eventually learns that being brave can be a fun adventure! Perfect for reading at bedtime to relieve nighttime anxiety, watching Owlet fly through the sky will show young readers that things may not always be as scary as they first seem.
Meena. Sine Van Mol, 2011. (from Holland)
Translation of: Mina lieverd. The children of Fly Street fear and taunt their neighbor Meena, thinking she is a witch, but when they meet her granddaughter and taste her red currant pie, they learn the truth.
A Little Bitty Man & Other Poems for the Very Young (Danish) BL
A collection of poems for children, including the title selection about a small man who rides a snail and meets a little woman. Translated from the original works by beloved Danish poet Rasmussen, this delightful collection of poems for young children is sure to enthrall little ones with captivating rhyme, humor, and charm. Full color.
Superhero Joe. Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, 2011. BL
Joe is a boy with superpowersor a super imagination? Armed with his cape of confidence (a blanket) and his shield of invincibility (a garbage can lid), Joe is ready to save the day...and good thing, too, because he's just heard a cry for help.... A blend of traditional illustrations and comic book graphics from beloved illustrator Ron Barrett accompanies a rollicking text that will bring out the superpowers in every reader.
The Tricky Tooth. Fran Manushkin. 2011/BL
Everyone in Katie Woo’s class has lost a tooth except Katie, who has a loose tooth that will not fall out despite her various strategies. In the end, everything comes out all right, literally, concluding with a visit from the tooth fairy. Told in four chapters, the upbeat story inserts just enough tension to hold beginning readers. Realistic illustrations portray a diverse class and a Chinese American protagonist, but the focus is on tooth loss, a rite of passage for the intended audience. Back matter includes a glossary, ideas for classroom follow-up, and a recipe.
Fortunately, Unfortunately. Michael Foreman, 2010, 2011. BL
Mom sends Milo on an errand to return Granny's umbrella to her. Fortunately, Milo doesn't realize that he's about to encounter several unfortunate setbacks with pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens. But it all turns into one amazing, fortunate adventure . . .
Josianne Fitzgerald - 30 January 2012 - More Bears - Kenn Nesbitt and Troy Cummings
This would make a good read aloud that invites the audience to call out for "more bears". The author is reluctant at first to include more bears and then gets rollickingly into adding "more bears."
Horn Book (April 2011) Illustrated by Troy Cummings. An author writing a story with "absolutely no bears" caves to children's offstage demands for "MORE BEARS!" The bear population increases exponentially until the author demands that they all leave. The execution of this offering's meta-narrative premise feels a little forced. Cummings's illustrations have a humorous retro style. BNT
Read more: http://readperiodicals.com/201104/2317937781.html#ixzz1kvfQLjkx
Josianne Fitzgerald - 24 January 2012 - A Ball for Daisy- Chris Raschka
Caldecott winner for 2012.
Josianne Fitzgerald - 11 January 2012 - I Want My Hat Back - Jon Klassen
http://www.amazon.com/I-Want-My-Hat-Back/dp/0763655988/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326270341&sr=8-1
This book is generating lots of talk for Caldecott.
I Want My Hat Back is a marvelous book in the true dictionary sense of marvel : it is a wonderful and astonishing thing, the kind of book that makes child laugh and adult chuckle, and both smile in appreciation. --The New York Times
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Press Here by Herve Tullet
This is a nifty concept for a book. It mimics the actions on an iPad. Enjoy the book trailer to see.
Horn Book starred (Fall 2011)
Tullet's ingenious interactive book begins with a yellow circle. On the next spread, the same dot appears: "Press here and turn the page"; a second yellow dot arrives on the following page. Pressing, tilting, blowing, and clapping further transform the dots. The simplicity of Tullet's presentation illuminates picture books' tactile and kinetic aspect, making the old form seem the height of postmodernism.
Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
Here's a book trailer for Cloudette.
Horn Book (Fall 2011)
While Cloudette doesn't mind being small, she aspires to do something big-cloud important, like make a garden grow or a waterfall flow. When she comes across a desperate frog in a dried-out pond, she finally finds her inspiration--and lets loose. Invitingly unfussy mixed-media illustrations, heavy on the sky-blue, and thoughtful book design, including entertaining cloud-peanut-gallery comments, give flavor to Cloudette's journey.Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - I Want My Hat by Jon Klassen
This book looks like it would be fun to act out with the kids.
Horn Book starred (Spring 2012)
A bear has lost his red hat. He questions a fox, frog, rabbit, turtle, snake, and armadillo before giving up. "What's the matter?" asks Deer, knocking free a recent memory (something that young readers are sure to have noticed) and leading the bear to a red-hot conclusion. Klassen's animation and design skills are evident on every page of this sly, subversive tale.Ann Krembs - January 19, 2012 - Tell Me the Day Backwards by Albert Lamb
This story really left me thinking. The twist at the end is neat--Do you think it's a summer or a day? Also, the concept of telling a day backwards is quite sweet.
Horn Book (Fall 2011)
At bedtime, a mother bear and her cub recollect for each other the events of the day, working backward from evening toward morning. There are enough details--including a hibernation twist--to keep readers interested; Lamb succeeds in making the ordinary elements of a young child's day seem special. McPhail's soft, dreamy watercolor and sepia ink illustrations suit the text's loving warmth.